Suspension of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea From African Union to Be Reviewed, Council Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/suspension-of-mali-burkina-faso-guinea-from-african-union-to-be-reviewed-council-says-1107572260.html
February 18, 2023, 12:48 PM
The African Union (AU) is currently holding the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, albeit without four permanent members - Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, - whose participation in the organization was halted due to military coups over the past few years.
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Mass Peace Rally Takes Place in Munich
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/mass-peace-rally-takes-place-in-munich--1107571022.html
February 18, 2023, 12:31 PM
This comes as the 59th Munich Security Conference, the world's largest foreign policy and defense forum held annually since 1963, has entered its second day.
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China to Release Position Paper on Ukraine by Month-End
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/china-to-release-position-paper-on-ukraine-by-month-end-1107573824.html
February 18, 2023, 12:07 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - China will draft and present a document by the end of February in which its position on the Ukraine crisis will be outlined, Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi said on Saturday.
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‘Another Cylinder to Economic Engine’: Hungary, Germany Seeking to Bolster Defense Ties
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/another-cylinder-to-economic-engine-hungary-germany-seeking-to-bolster-defense-ties--1107568516.html
February 18, 2023, 11:25 AM
Berlin and Budapest have repeatedly locked horns over European allegations that the rule of law is eroding in the EU member state; however, this hasn't prevented German companies from continuing to make direct investments into the Hungarian economy.
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Putin Greets African Union Summit, Calls It 'Effective Mechanism for Multilateral Cooperation'
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/putin-greets-african-union-summit-calls-it-effective-mechanism-for-multilateral-cooperation-1107570268.html
February 18, 2023, 11:23 AM
The two-day 36th African Union (AU) Summit, which focuses primarily on economic issues, began in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Saturday chaired by Senegalese President Macky Sall.
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Germany Froze Russian Assets Worth $5.7Bln Since Start of Operation in Ukraine
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/germany-froze-russian-assets-worth-57bln-since-start-of-operation-in-ukraine--1107572965.html
February 18, 2023, 11:19 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany has frozen Russian assets worth 5.32 billion euros ($5.7 billion) since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine nearly a year ago, the local newspaper reported on Saturday, citing data from the German Finance Ministry.
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Lockheed Martin Wins $1.1Bln Deal to Manage, Engineer Navy Missile Systems
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/lockheed-martin-wins-11bln-deal-to-manage-engineer-navy-missile-systems-1107572644.html
February 18, 2023, 11:10 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Lockheed Martin has won a more than $1.1 billion US Navy modification contract for missile engineering development and systems integration, the Department of Defense announced in a press release.
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Study Names Black Holes as Likely Source of Dark Energy
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/study-names-black-holes-as-likely-source-of-dark-energy-1107571105.html
February 18, 2023, 11:03 AM
The researchers based their theory on observations of supermassive black holes located in distant elliptical galaxies.
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North Korean Missile Likely to Have Fallen Within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, Tokyo Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/north-korean-missile-likely-to-have-fallen-within-japans-exclusive-economic-zone-tokyo-says--1107571839.html
February 18, 2023, 10:48 AM
TOKYO (Sputnik) - The ballistic missile launched by North Korea toward the Sea of Japan is likely to have fallen within Japan's exclusive economic zone, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Sunday.
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Ghanian International Footballer Atsu Dead at 31 in Aftermath of Turkiye's Quake
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/ghanian-international-footballer-atsu-dead-at-31-in-aftermath-of-turkiyes-quake-1107570857.html
February 18, 2023, 10:28 AM
Atsu, who previously played for the English clubs Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle, had been missing since the earthquakes hit Turkiye on February 6 killing almost 40,000 people.
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How West Creates 'New Abnormality:' Poet Pushkin is French? War is Peace? What's Next?
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/how-west-creates-new-abnormality-poet-pushkin-is-french-war-is-peace-whats-next-1107568934.html
February 18, 2023, 9:43 AM
Following the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, western countries not only sanctioned the country's economy and political establishment but launched a "canceling" campaign against Russian culture. Great Russian artists were depicted as Ukrainians alongside "Russian dancers," and this phenomenon seems to gain momentum.
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Ukraine to Receive Modern Fighter Jets Only When Hostilities End
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/ukraine-to-receive-modern-fighter-jets-only-when-hostilities-end-1107570493.html
February 18, 2023, 9:42 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine will receive cutting-edge fighter jets such as Eurofighter Typhoon only after the end of hostilities in the country, UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace told German weekly on Saturday.
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Bondholders to Suffer More Losses Than Bilateral Creditors, Ghana Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/bondholders-to-suffer-more-losses-than-bilateral-creditors-ghana-says-1107567885.html
February 18, 2023, 9:28 AM
The problem of high external debt persists in a number of African countries. According to a 2022 report by the World Bank, more than half of all low-income countries, most of which are Africa, do not manage to pay their foreign debts. Ghana is among them, with $37.4 billion in public debt as of October 2022, of which 58% is external.
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North Korea Reportedly Launches Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/north-korea-reportedly-launches-ballistic-missile-toward-sea-of-japan-1107569427.html
February 18, 2023, 9:02 AM
SEOUL (Sputnik) - North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Saturday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
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US Slaughterhouse Cleaning Firm Hired Over 100 Underage Kids For Overnight Shifts: Federal Probe
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/us-slaughterhouse-cleaning-firm-hired-over-100-underage-kids-for-overnight-shifts-federal-probe-1107566832.html
February 18, 2023, 8:54 AM
The company rejects the allegations, arguing that they pursue a "zero-tolerance policy” on employing anyone under age 18.
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Russian Gas Supplies to Europe Via Ukraine Up by 9.5% to 39.2Mln Cubic Meters
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/russian-gas-supplies-to-europe-via-ukraine-up-by-95-to-392mln-cubic-meters-gazprom-says-1107568697.html
February 18, 2023, 8:42 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The volume of Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine via the Sudzha entry point has increased by 9.5% to 39.2 million cubic meters as of Saturday compared to the day before, Russian energy giant Gazprom said.
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Peru's Parliament Declares Colombian President Persona Non Grata Over Remarks on Police
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/perus-parliament-declares-colombian-president-persona-non-grata-over-remarks-on-police-1107567723.html
February 18, 2023, 8:18 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Peruvian parliament approved a motion to declare Colombian President Gustavo Petro persona non grata in response to his statements comparing the Peru police to Nazis, the parliament's press office said.
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Sturgeon's Departure Leaves Scottish National Party Without Obvious Successor, Experts Say
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/sturgeons-departure-leaves-scottish-national-party-without-obvious-successor-experts-say-1107567181.html
February 18, 2023, 7:28 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik), Kirill Krasilnikov - Outgoing Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's time in office is marked by progressive rhetoric that has not been fully matched by tangible public policy results and her departure leaves ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) without a clear leader, experts told Sputnik.
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White House to Hold Secret Talks With Taiwan's Delegation Next Week, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/white-house-to-hold-secret-talks-with-taiwans-delegation-next-week-media-reports-1107567033.html
February 18, 2023, 7:11 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The White House will hold secret talks with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and National Security Council chief Wellington Koo next week, British newspaper reported on Saturday, citing sources in the know.
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Birds of a Feather: Kim’s Daughter Reportedly Attends Non-Military Event Along With Her Father
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/birds-of-a-feather-kims-daughter-reportedly-attends-non-military-event-along-with-his-father-1107563513.html
February 18, 2023, 5:26 AM
Kim Jong-un's daughter has been repeatedly seen standing by her father’s side during military events, including a recent a parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Korea's army.
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UK Prime Minister to Urge Western Countries to Boost Military Support for Kiev, Report Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/uk-prime-minister-to-urge-western-countries-to-boost-military-support-for-kiev-report-says-1107563102.html
February 18, 2023, 5:04 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during his speech at the Munich Security Conference this weekend, will call on Ukraine’s allies to "double down" on sending advanced capabilities to Kiev, a British newspaper reported.
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Video: NASA Confirms Arrival of 450-Kilogram Meteor That Struck Texas City
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/video-nasa-confirms-arrival-of-450-kilogram-meteor-that-struck-texas-city-1107562695.html
February 18, 2023, 4:25 AM
It is believed that between 5 and 6 tons of meteorites - or 2,000 tons per year - fall to Earth per day. Most meteorites found weigh from a few grams to several tens of tonnes. More recently, one such meteorite fell in south Texas.
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Broken Records: Biden After Mississippi Shooting Urges Congress to Act Amid Gun Violence 'Epidemic'
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/broken-records-biden-after-mississippi-shooting-urges-congress-to-act-amid-gun-violence-epidemic-1107562532.html
February 18, 2023, 4:03 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - President Joe Biden in the wake of a mass shooting in Mississippi said gun violence is an epidemic in the US and Congress must take action immediately.
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Tomahawk Failed to Reach Target in Syria: Will It Do Any Better for Japan?
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/tomahawk-failed-to-reach-target-in-syria-will-it-do-any-better-for-japan-1107537525.html
February 18, 2023, 4:03 AM
Japan plans to buy 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles with the latest modification from the US, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said. Sputnik asked a military analyst about the technical characteristics of the upgraded Tomahawk, and most importantly, whether these improved missiles can really enhance Japan's defense capabilities.
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Kirby Unaware of Abrams Tank Procurement Status But Hints Process Could Take ‘Many Months’
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/kirby-unaware-of-abrams-tank-procurement-status-but-hints-process-could-take-many-months-1107560243.html
February 18, 2023, 3:56 AM
WASHINGTON, February 17 (Sputnik) - White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday that he is unaware of where the United States’ procurement of Abrams main battle tanks for Ukraine currently stands, but added that the process could take many more months.
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Navajo Tribe President: Ohio Train Wreck Reminder Not to Transport Toxins Over Public Lands
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/navajo-tribe-president-ohio-train-wreck-reminder-not-to-transport-toxins-over-public-lands-1107562233.html
February 18, 2023, 3:45 AM
WASHINGTON (SPUTNIK) - The train wreck in East Palestine should remind the US government not to transport toxic chemical by rail, something the tribe warned about a few years ago, Navajo Tribe President Jonathan Nez said in a statement to Sputnik.
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Civilians Killed by Ukrainian Troops Used by Kiev in Kherson Region Provocation, Authorities Say
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/civilians-killed-in-ukrainian-shelling-being-used-by-kiev-in-snigiryovka-provocation---authorities-1107562067.html
February 18, 2023, 3:39 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Kiev is preparing a provocation in the Ukraine-controlled town of Snigiryovka in the Kherson region, planning to pass off civilians killed in Ukrainian troops’ shelling as victims of the Russian military, Yuriy Barbashov, the head of the Snigiryovka district administration, told Sputnik.
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Pentagon Caps Recovery of Downed Chinese Balloon, Two 'Objects' That Set Off Latest UFO Craze
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/all-good-things-end-pentagon-caps-recovery-of-downed-chinese-balloon-that-set-off-latest-ufo-craze-1107561801.html
February 18, 2023, 3:19 AM
The conclusion of the downed balloon's recovery comes nearly two weeks after US President Joe Biden gave the order to shoot down the suspected surveillance balloon, of which consumed the nation and prompted backlash against the president over his 'laxed' response.
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Going Nowhere Fast: Air New Zealand Flight Suffers 16-Hour U-Turn After Chaos Consumes JFK Airport
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/going-nowhere-fast-air-new-zealand-flight-suffers-16-hour-u-turn-after-chaos-consumes-jfk-airport-1107559692.html
February 18, 2023, 2:14 AM
International flights at the John F. Kennedy International Airport were canceled for two days in a row on Friday after a lingering power disruption has cut off operations at the facility's Terminal 1. Latest figures suggest dozens of flights have been axes.
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'Time to Listen': Petition Urging Scholz to Stop Ukraine Military Aid Gains Over 500,000 Signatures
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/time-to-listen-petition-urging-scholz-to-stop-ukraine-military-aid-gains-over-500000-signatures-1107561288.html
February 18, 2023, 12:49 AM
BERLIN (Sputnik) - More than 506,000 people have signed a petition calling on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to stop boosting weapons supplies to Kiev, and to initiate Ukraine peace talks instead, according to the change.org website.
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Trump Will Visit Ohio Town Impacted by Toxic Train Derailment, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/trump-will-visit-ohio-town-impacted-by-toxic-train-derailment-media-reports-1107561149.html
February 18, 2023, 12:42 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Former US President Donald Trump will visit the town of East Palestine, Ohio, next week to meet with people impacted by a train derailment and subsequent "controlled release" of toxic chemicals into the environment, US media reported, citing a source familiar with Trump’s plans.
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Trump Favored Against Biden, Harris in Hypothetical 2024 Presidential Matchups - Poll
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/trump-favored-against-biden-harris-in-hypothetical-2024-presidential-matchups---poll-1107560610.html
February 18, 2023, 12:22 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik ) - Former US President Donald Trump is favored to beat both incumbent Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in hypothetical matchups for the 2024 US presidential election, a Harvard CAPS-Harris poll released exclusively to The Hill detailed.
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US Senator McConnell Claims He'd Provide F-16 Jets to Ukraine If Decision Were Up to Him
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/us-senator-mcconnell-claims-hed-provide-f-16-jets-to-ukraine-if-decision-were-up-to-him-1107560099.html
February 18, 2023, 12:15 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Friday that he would provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter aircraft if the decision was up to him.
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Burning Skin, Headaches, Anger & Uncertainty: Ohioans Still Suffering After Toxic Train Wreck
https://sputniknews.com/20230218/burning-skin-headaches-anger--uncertainty-ohioans-still-suffering-after-toxic-train-wreck-1107559329.html
February 18, 2023, 12:04 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a train wreck that resulted in a so-called controlled release of chemicals, told Sputnik they have continued to experience headaches and burning skin, among other symptoms, and are filled with anxiety about whether they are all subject to long-term health risks such as cancer.
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Truss Calls for Strengthening of Pacific Defense Alliance Against China
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/truss-calls-for-strengthening-of-pacific-defense-alliance-against-china-1107558896.html
February 17, 2023, 10:29 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss called for further development of a Pacific defense alliance on Friday in order to counter China and support Taiwan, as well as ensure peace in the region.
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US Navy Aims to Test-Fire Ground-Launched Version of AARGM-ER Anti-Radar Missile
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/us-navy-aims-to-test-fire-ground-launched-version-of-aargm-er-anti-radar-missile-1107558389.html
February 17, 2023, 10:12 PM
Until photo evidence emerged, the US denied having equipped the Ukrainians with AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, which could be used to target radar sites inside Russia. It’s unclear how, but Kiev has managed to get Soviet-era fighters, once thought incompatible with the missile’s technology, to carry and fire the HARM.
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McKinsey's Senior Managers' Houses Raided in Macron's Campaign Funding Probe, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/mckinseys-senior-managers-houses-raided-in-macrons-campaign-funding-probe-media-reports-1107558725.html
February 17, 2023, 10:07 PM
PARIS (Sputnik) - French police officers have raided the houses of four former and acting senior managers of US consulting firm McKinsey as part of the investigation into the funding of French President Emmanuel Macron's 2017 presidential election campaign, the French newspaper reported on Friday, citing sources.
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POTUS is a Terrorist or a Journalist is a Fraud - Why Doesn't Anyone Want to Find Out Which is True?
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/potus-is-a-terrorist-or-a-journalist-is-a-fraud---why-doesnt-anyone-want-to-find-out-which-is-true-1107558080.html
February 17, 2023, 9:38 PM
Corporate ownership of media outlets and consolidation have deteriorated the quality of reporting in numerous ways: accelerating access journalism, gutting local news and investigative reporting, a decreasing willingness to take chances or to invest in projects without a quick return on investment.
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US Inspectors General Say Willing to Send Auditors to Front Lines to Scrutinize Ukraine Aid
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/us-inspectors-general-say-willing-to-send-auditors-to-front-lines-to-scrutinize-ukraine-aid-1107557568.html
February 17, 2023, 8:48 PM
A group of top US oversight officials have indicated their willingness to follow US military aid to Ukraine up to the front lines of the conflict, to ensure the money and materiel is being used for its intended purpose.
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Police: Gunman Arrested After Mississippi Mass Shootings Leaves Six Dead
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/police-gunman-arrested-after-mississippi-mass-shootings-leaves-six-dead-1107557326.html
February 17, 2023, 8:31 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – A suspected gunman is in police custody after at least six people were shot dead on Friday in a string of shootings in Tate County, Mississippi, US media reported.
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EU Facing Internal Divisions in Dealing With Migration, Commissioner Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/eu-facing-internal-divisions-in-dealing-with-migration-says-eu-commissioner-1107556976.html
February 17, 2023, 7:50 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union is facing internal divisions in its dealing with migration flows, as member states cannot agree on a common position due to their individual relations with countries of origin of migrants, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Friday.
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US Congress Will Direct Commission to Report on Fleet Electrification, Batteries
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/us-congress-will-direct-commission-to-report-on-fleet-electrification-batteries-1107556243.html
February 17, 2023, 7:30 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Congress will direct a commission to report to lawmakers on the electrification of the United States’ vehicle fleets and battery supply chain policies, US Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Friday.
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Russian, Western Security Experts Urge Nuclear Powers to Review ‘Fail-Safes’: Letter
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russian-western-security-experts-urge-nuclear-powers-to-review-fail-safes-letter-1107555841.html
February 17, 2023, 6:34 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A group of national security experts from the United States, Europe and Russia published a letter on Friday urging the world’s nuclear powers to conduct internal reviews of their nuclear fail-safes to reduce the risk of an inadvertent incident.
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Rail Firm Refuses to Answer Ohio Citizen's Questions Over Chemical Disaster
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/rail-firm-refuses-to-answer-ohio-citizens-questions-over-chemical-disaster-1107551791.html
February 17, 2023, 6:33 PM
Worried residents of East Palestine expected officials from the railway responsible for the environmental disaster near the Ohio town to turn up for a local meeting — but the company claimed it feared for its employees safety.
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Pentagon Spotted Flying Objects During Trump Era, But Never Informed White House, Says Media
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/pentagon-spotted-flying-objects-during-trump-era-but-never-informed-white-house-says-media-1107555704.html
February 17, 2023, 6:32 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A small circle of intelligence officials at the US Department of Defense under the Trump administration monitored a series of mysterious objects in the atmosphere, but the incidents were never reported to the White House at the time, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing former US officials.
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Moscow Urges Kiev Not to Pass Desire to Benefit Off as Fight Against Global Hunger Threat
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/moscow-urges-kiev-not-to-pass-desire-to-benefit-off-as-fight-against-global-hunger-threat-1107555435.html
February 17, 2023, 6:23 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is advising Ukraine not to pass profit-seeking off as a fight against threat of world hunger, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday, commenting on recent statements by Ukrainian officials about extension of the grain deal.
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Time for Peace Talks? Biden Facing Faded Public Support for Arming Ukraine
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/time-for-peace-talks-biden-facing-faded-public-support-for-arming-ukraine-1107554952.html
February 17, 2023, 6:22 PM
Public support for Washington's military assistance to Ukraine is waning, according to recent polls. Meanwhile, House Republicans are pushing ahead with their Ukraine Fatigue resolution, leading some US think tanks to suggest that the Biden administration may be laying the groundwork for peace talks.
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US Oil Firms Import 100,000 Barrels of Venezuelan Oil Per Day in February: Source
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/us-oil-firms-import-100000-barrels-of-venezuelan-oil-per-day-in-february-source-1107555232.html
February 17, 2023, 6:17 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The volume of Venezuelan oil imported to the United States by three oil companies amounts to an average of 100,000 barrels per day in February after the Biden administration eased the existing restrictions in November to allow such activity, a source familiar with the matter told Sputnik on Friday.
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Man Starts Speaking With 'Irish Brogue' After Cancer Treatment
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/man-starts-speaking-with-irish-brogue-after-cancer-treatment-1107553631.html
February 17, 2023, 6:03 PM
The patient had apparently never visited Ireland prior to developing his condition and displayed “no neurological examination abnormalities, psychiatric history or MRI of the brain abnormalities at symptom onset.”
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Narrative to Arm Ukraine With Nuclear Weapons to Prevent Conflict 'Dangerous', UN Official Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/narrative-to-arm-ukraine-with-nuclear-weapons-to-prevent-conflict-dangerous-un-official-says-1107554734.html
February 17, 2023, 6:02 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The narrative that the conflict in Ukraine could have been avoided if Kiev had been able to keep nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union is false and dangerous, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said on Friday.
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Biden Admin. to Send Medical Team to Ohio to Conduct Tests After Train Wreck
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/biden-admin-to-send-medical-team-to-ohio-to-conduct-tests-after-train-wreck-1107554616.html
February 17, 2023, 5:55 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will deploy a team of medical personnel to East Palestine, Ohio, to conduct testing after the derailing of a train carrying hazardous chemicals earlier in the month, the White House announced on Friday.
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Biden Says Will Speak to Xi to Cool Tensions, ‘Get to the Bottom’ of Balloon Debacle
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/biden-says-will-speak-to-xi-to-cool-tensions-get-to-the-bottom-of-balloon-debacle-1107553078.html
February 17, 2023, 5:01 PM
Amid a new spike in tensions with China, US President Joe Biden has pledged to “get to the bottom” of the issue and cool the tensions by speaking directly to Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, his comments come as a top Pentagon official travels to Taiwan, which Beijing considers a violation of its sovereignty.
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Russia and Uganda Agree on Cooperation to Ensure Epidemiological Safety
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russia-and-uganda-agree-on-cooperation-to-ensure-epidemiological-safety-1107549002.html
February 17, 2023, 4:43 PM
Russia's consumer rights and health agency delegation has visited Uganda where it held a number of meetings with the nation's top officials. There, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with the Rospotrebnadzor agency's chief Anna Popova to discuss the details of mutual biosafety cooperation.
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Russian Exporters to Exhibit Interior Waterfalls at The Big 5 Saudi
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russian-exporters-to-exhibit-interior-waterfalls-at-the-big-5-saudi-1107552983.html
February 17, 2023, 4:41 PM
The Made in Russia stand will showcase the latest materials, innovations and interior solutions at “The Big 5 Saudi 2023”, the largest construction industry exhibition in the Middle East.
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Cameroonian Bishop: Africa Must Be Courageous to Take Back Privileges from 'Colonial Masters'
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/cameroonian-bishop-africa-must-be-courageous-to-take-back-privileges-from-colonial-masters-1107550278.html
February 17, 2023, 4:22 PM
Africa was long a colony for Europe until the last colonial country on the continent, Djibouti, obtained independence in 1977. Since, many speak about neo-colonialism or the so-called "economic colonialism", a policy of interference in former colonies' internal affairs, pursued by their metropoles in order to maintain control.
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Russian Foreign Ministry Says US Obliged to Present Own Account of Attack on Nord Stream
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russian-foreign-ministry-says-us-obliged-to-present-own-account-of-attack-on-nord-stream-1107552419.html
February 17, 2023, 4:02 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States has the obligation to present its own theory regarding the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and back it up with facts, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said on Friday.
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How FBI's 'Quota System' Diluting Bureau's Already Questionable Standards
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/how-fbis-quota-system-diluting-bureaus-already-questionable-standards-1107551047.html
February 17, 2023, 4:00 PM
FBI former special agent and whistleblower Steve Friend has informed the US Congress about the bureau's case quota system that can incentivize agents to pursue frivolous cases while postponing probes on real crimes to reach statistical goals.
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Stoltenberg Says NATO Closely Following Increased Military Ties Between Russia, China
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/stoltenberg-says-nato-closely-following-increased-military-ties-between-russia-china-1107552191.html
February 17, 2023, 3:58 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO is closely following the increased military cooperation between Russia and China, with a focus on the two countries' regular joint exercises, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
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Gazprom CEO Assures Putin Russia Has Enough Gas for Decades to Come
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/gazprom-ceo-assures-putin-russia-has-enough-gas-for-decades-to-come-1107551662.html
February 17, 2023, 3:48 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The head of Russian gas giant Gazprom, Alexey Miller, assured Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country would have a sufficient amount of gas during decades to come primarily thanks to the world's largest resource base.
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Africa Wants to Be in 'Driver's Seat' at UN Security Council, AU Commissioner Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/africa-wants-to-be-in-drivers-seat-at-un-security-council-au-commissioner-says-1107549784.html
February 17, 2023, 3:40 PM
The official made his statements on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit, which is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 15-19 February and is attended, among others, by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
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UN Appeals for $1.3 Bn to Help Insurgency-Hit Nigerians
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/un-appeals-for-13-bn-to-help-insurgency-hit-nigerians-1107550102.html
February 17, 2023, 3:35 PM
The African country has been facing serious security threats for years as terrorist organizations and armed gangs proliferate throughout its territory, especially in the northeastern region. Earlier this month, the UN raised concerns about a worsening security situation, calling for urgent action to tackle insurgency.
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All 5 Ex-Police Officers Charged in Death of Tyre Nichols Plead Not Guilty: Lawyers
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/all-5-ex-police-officers-charged-in-death-of-tyre-nichols-plead-not-guilty-lawyers-1107550937.html
February 17, 2023, 3:27 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - All five of the former Memphis Police Department officers charged with murder and other crimes for the death of Tyre Nichols last month are pleading not guilty to the charges against them, their lawyers said during an arraignment hearing Friday.
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High Seas Containment: US Military Assets Near China
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/high-seas-containment-us-military-assets-near-china-1107545938.html
February 17, 2023, 3:16 PM
While the United States seems to be quite fond of lecturing other countries about where they should or should not deploy their troops, it also has no problem with stationing large contingents of US troops on other countries’ doorstep – all for the sake of peace, of course.
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Flogging a Dead Horse: UK Reportedly Develops 3D-Printed Suicide Drones for Ukrainian Military
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/flogging-a-dead-horse-uk-reportedly-develops-3d-printed-suicide-drones-for-ukrainian-military-1107547166.html
February 17, 2023, 3:04 PM
The UK is said to have developed a 3D-printed delta-wing "suicide" drone for the Ukrainian military. QinetiQ, the UK-based defense firm that works closely with the British Ministry of Defence (MOD), has lifted the veil of secrecy about some details of the alleged program.
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Limited Meat Consumption More Environmentally Friendly Than Veganism: New Study
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/limited-meat-consumption-more-environmentally-friendly-than-veganism-new-study-1107548423.html
February 17, 2023, 3:01 PM
Vegans and meat-lovers have repeatedly locked horns over what humans are “supposed” to eat in order to keep fit.
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Tools of Murder for Peace? Only Arms Supply Can Ensure Peace in Ukraine, NATO Chief Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/nato-chief-only-arms-supply-can-ensure-long-term-sustainable-peace-in-ukraine-1107548576.html
February 17, 2023, 2:36 PM
BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - A long-term and sustainable peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through the supply of weapons, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
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Ex-CIA Analyst Says Mainstream Media Killed Nord Stream Bombing Story
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/ex-cia-analyst-says-mainstream-media-killed-nord-stream-bombing-story-1107533843.html
February 17, 2023, 2:25 PM
The bombing of the Russian Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines supplying Germany has directly benefitted business interests in the two countries now accused of the terrorist act: the US and Norway have both increased natural gas sales to Europe.
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US Deliberately Hushing Up Recent Train Wreck in Ohio, Moscow Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/us-deliberately-hushing-up-recent-train-wreck-in-ohio-moscow-says-1107547799.html
February 17, 2023, 2:17 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States is deliberately hushing up the recent derailment of a freight train in Ohio that resulted in the leakage of toxic chemicals, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
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Pentagon's Top China Official Arrives in Taiwan Amid Balloon Crisis, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/pentagons-top-china-official-arrives-in-taiwan-amid-balloon-crisis-media-reports-1107547574.html
February 17, 2023, 2:09 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase has arrived in Taiwan, becoming the first senior US defense official to travel to the island since 2019, the British media reported on Friday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
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Russia Foreign Ministry Summons Italian Ambassador After Russian Performances Cancellation
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russia-foreign-ministry-summons-italian-ambassador-after-russian-performances-cancellation-1107547055.html
February 17, 2023, 2:03 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it had summoned Italian Ambassador in Moscow Giorgio Starace in connection with the cancellation of a number of Russian performances in Italy recently.
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FBI Reports Cyber Incident Affecting Computer Network
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/fbi-reports-cyber-incident-affecting-computer-network-1107546834.html
February 17, 2023, 1:57 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The FBI said on Friday it is investigating a malicious cyber incident affecting some of its computer systems.
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Moscow Summons Dutch Ambassador Over Attempts to Hold Russia Responsible for MH17 Case
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/moscow-summons-dutch-ambassador-over-attempts-to-hold-russia-responsible-for-mh17-case-1107546670.html
February 17, 2023, 1:53 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Dutch Ambassador to Russia Gilles Beschoor Plug was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday over the attempts of the Dutch authorities to hold Russia responsible for the MH17 crash.
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Chevron to Send 100,000 BPD of Venezuelan Crude to US This Month, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/chevron-to-send-100000-bpd-of-venezuelan-crude-to-us-this-month-media-reports-1107546263.html
February 17, 2023, 1:43 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Chevron will send 100,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan crude oil to the United States this month, British media reported citing shipping documents
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Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea Hope for Progress in Rejoining AU at Its Summit: Malian Foreign Minister
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/mali-burkina-faso-and-guinea-look-to-rejoin-au-at-its-summit-malian-foreign-minister-1107543966.html
February 17, 2023, 1:38 PM
The West African nations were suspended from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after changes of government as a result of military coups in recent years.
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From CAESAR to DANA: What Artillery Does NATO Have?
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/from-caesar-to-dana-what-artillery-does-nato-have--1107537284.html
February 17, 2023, 1:37 PM
With Russia’s special operation under way in Ukraine, the US is reportedly running low on 155mm artillery ammunition available to transfer to Kiev as part of its hefty military aid to the Zelensky administration.
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Trudeau Says Canada to Deploy Navy Vessels, Airlift More MRAPs to Haiti
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/trudeau-says-canada-to-deploy-navy-vessels-airlift-more-mraps-to-haiti-1107545143.html
February 17, 2023, 1:28 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Canada will deploy Navy vessels to conduct surveillance off the coast of Haiti and airlift more Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in remarks at an annual meeting of Caribbean leaders in the Bahamas.
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Congressional Republicans Urge Biden to Provide More Military Funding to Taiwan
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/congressional-republicans-urge-biden-to-provide-more-military-funding-to-taiwan-1107539832.html
February 17, 2023, 1:22 PM
The authors of the new letter to Biden reasoned that arming and equipping Taiwan "to make it a stronger and more capable partner" would be an improvement for the "national and economic security" of the United States.
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Turkiye's Ruling Party Not Planning to Postpone Elections Over Earthquake, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/turkeys-ruling-party-not-planning-to-postpone-elections-over-earthquake-media-reports-1107544187.html
February 17, 2023, 1:08 PM
ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party is not discussing a postponement of the general election due to the earthquake, with the two date options on the table remaining unchanged, Turkish newspaper reported on Friday.
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Uganda Won't Follow West in Normalization of Homosexuality, President Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/uganda-wont-follow-west-in-normalization-of-homosexuality-president-says-1107530944.html
February 17, 2023, 12:56 PM
Recently, African Christians were polarized by remarks made by Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their African tour earlier this month. The religious leaders called criminalization of homosexuality a "sin … and an injustice", noting that homosexuals are "children of God," whom He loves.
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Polls Show Trust in President Putin Stands at Almost 80% in Russia
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/polls-show-trust-in-president-putin-stands-at-almost-80-in-russia-1107543479.html
February 17, 2023, 12:54 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The level of confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin stands at 79.1%, with 76% of Russians approving of his professional performance, a poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) said on Friday.
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'Black Mamba Kiss of Death': Zambia Criticizes Foreign Debt Interest Rates
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/black-mamba-kiss-of-death-zambia-criticizes-foreign-debt-interest-rates-1107533418.html
February 17, 2023, 12:53 PM
Zambia defaulted on a $42.5 million payment on a Eurobond in November 2020, with the country's external debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 100%. According to the African state's authorities, the total external debt amounted to $14.87 billion as of June 2022.
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Earthquake in Philippines Damages Over 60 Residential Houses, 15 Schools
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/earthquake-in-philippines-damages-over-60-residential-houses-15-schools-1107543140.html
February 17, 2023, 12:48 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The recent magnitude 6.0 earthquake in the Philippine region of Masbate has damaged 61 houses, 15 schools and six buildings, a spokesperson for the regional office of civil defense said on Friday.
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North Korean Leader Pays Tribute to Late Kim Jong Il on Birthday Anniversary
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/north-korean-leader-pays-tribute-to-late-kim-jong-il-on-birthday-anniversary-1107542681.html
February 17, 2023, 12:27 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid tribute to the memory of his farther and the country's former leader, Kim Jong-il, on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of his birthday, which is an annual national celebration known as the Day of the Shining Star, the Korean news agency reported on Friday.
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Kenya to Build Africa's First Private Electricity Grid With Indian Investment
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/kenya-to-build-africas-first-private-electricity-grid-with-indian-investment-1107536719.html
February 17, 2023, 12:11 PM
Kenya is currently facing a significant infrastructure financing deficit. As the government can't meet investment needs in the sector, the country is developing programs aimed at enhancing private sector participation.
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IMF: DRC Mining Industry Spurs Economic Growth
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/imf-drc-mining-industry-spurs-economic-growth-1107528750.html
February 17, 2023, 12:10 PM
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is expected to be one of the fastest-growing African economies over the next several years. Its real GDP growth is due to hit as high as 6.8%, according to a report released in January by the African Development Bank Group.
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Putin Holds Meeting With Belarus President Lukashenko
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/putin-holds-meeting-with-belarus-president-lukashenko-1107528800.html
February 17, 2023, 12:07 PM
The Belarusian president has arrived in Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin. The issues of security, defense and integration within the framework of the Union State are on the agenda.
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China Reiterates Its Opposition Amid Reports of Pentagon Official's Possible Taiwan Visit
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/china-reiterates-its-opposition-amid-reports-of-pentagon-officials-possible-taiwan-visit-1107539376.html
February 17, 2023, 11:48 AM
BEIJING (Sputnik) - The United States must comply with the one-China principle and stop any form of official exchanges and military ties with Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, commenting on media reports of a potential imminent visit to the island by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China Michael Chase.
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China Develops Relations With Leading EU States, Despite Brussels' Resistance
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/china-develops-relations-with-leading-eu-states-despite-brussels-resistance-1107533245.html
February 17, 2023, 11:30 AM
China's Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are visiting Europe at virtually the same time. Their itineraries do not overlap except for their participation in the Munich Security Conference. Meanwhile, on the eve of the event, it is not yet known whether they will meet in person.
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Illuminating Discovery: Russian Scientists Find Out How to Use Fireflies to Detect Bacteria
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/illuminating-discovery-russian-scientists-find-out-how-to-use-fireflies-to-detect-bacteria-1107534974.html
February 17, 2023, 11:12 AM
Scientists from the Siberian Federal University and the Institute of Biophysics of the Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have created a microbial contamination sensor based on an improved “luminescence technology" of fireflies.
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Russia Starts Testing Its New TrUMP Heavy Drone
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russia-starts-ground-tests-of-its-new-trump-heavy-drone--1107529579.html
February 17, 2023, 11:09 AM
The maiden flight of the TrUMP drone, which was designed to implement both military and civilian tasks, is expected to take place in April.
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Africa's Bloc IGAD Ready to Contribute to Resolution of Ukraine Conflict, Secretary Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/africas-bloc-igad-ready-to-contribute-to-resolution-of-ukraine-conflict-secretary-says-1107536174.html
February 17, 2023, 11:04 AM
ADDIS ABABA (Sputnik) - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa is ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu has told Sputnik.
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Aircraft Downed by US Over Alaska May Be Hobby Club's Lost Cheap Balloon, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/aircraft-downed-by-us-over-alaska-may-be-hobby-clubs-lost-cheap-balloon-media-reports-1107534806.html
February 17, 2023, 10:21 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The unidentified aerial object downed by the United States over Alaska last week may be, in fact, a missing balloon belonging to a hobby club from the state of Illinois worth between $12 and $180, US media reported on Friday.
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Russian Companies to Showcase Woodworking Achievements at Delhiwood 2023 India, REC Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/russian-companies-to-showcase-woodworking-achievements-at-delhiwood-2023-india-rec-says-1107533094.html
February 17, 2023, 10:20 AM
Ten Russian companies will display their woodworking achievements at the Delhiwood exhibition, an international trade fair for furniture production technologies in India, the Russian Export Center (REC, part of the VEB.RF) reported.
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Free Trade Area and Insecurity: Key Points of Upcoming African Union Leaders Summit
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/free-trade-area-and-insecurity-key-points-of-upcoming-african-union-leaders-summit-1107531582.html
February 17, 2023, 10:16 AM
AU foreign ministers met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15-16, to consider the most glaring issues for the continent, including growing insecurity and the need to enhance economic ties. The leaders of African states, who are set to meet this weekend, are expected to advance these items.
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REC Helping Exporters Seek Niches in Southeast Asia Markets
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/rec-helping-exporters-seek-niches-in-southeast-asia-markets-1107533150.html
February 17, 2023, 10:13 AM
Amid the Ukraine crisis, Russian companies have begun to actively seek new markets abroad, including in Southeast Asia, and the Russian Export Center (REC, part of VEB.RF) helps companies find their niche in the fast-growing Asian market.
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Nuland's Crimea Remark Confirms US Involvement in Ukraine, Moscow Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/nulands-words-on-crimea-confirm-us-involvement-in-ukraine-conflict-moscow-says-1107533733.html
February 17, 2023, 9:54 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The statement of US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland about the strikes on Crime once again confirm the involvement of the United States in the conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
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Possible Earthquake in Turkiye's Istanbul to Result in 'Devastating' Consequences, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/possible-earthquake-in-turkiyes-istanbul-to-result-in-devastating-consequences-media-reports-1107532246.html
February 17, 2023, 9:14 AM
ANKARA, February 17 (Sputnik) - The impact of the potential earthquake in Istanbul forecast by some seismologists would overshadow the recent earthquakes in the country's southeast in terms of destruction and social-economic damage, Turkish newspaper reported on Friday, citing experts.
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What is Known About the South Africa–Russia–China Naval Drills Set to Kick Off Today?
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/what-is-known-about-the-south-africarussiachina-naval-drills-set-to-kick-off-today-1107528425.html
February 17, 2023, 8:11 AM
The naval exercises that are starting on Friday are a follow-up to the first drills of the kind. In 2019, the three countries held joint exercises near Cape Town, South Africa. In an earlier interview with Sputnik, South Africa's Ambassador to Moscow expressed hope that joint naval drills in such a format would be continued on an annual basis.
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Banksy's Mural to Be Cut Out of Wall in UK's Kent for Sale, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/banksys-mural-to-be-cut-out-of-wall-in-uks-kent-for-sale-media-reports-1107530396.html
February 17, 2023, 7:52 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - An artwork by UK artist Banksy dubbed "Valentine's Day Mascara" and dedicated to the issue of domestic violence against women, will be cut out of the wall in the southeastern UK county of Kent for sale, media reported on Friday.
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Swedish Police Admit to Restricting Free Speech, Say No to Quran-Burnings
https://sputniknews.com/20230217/swedish-police-admit-to-restricting-free-speech-say-no-to-quran-burnings-1107528162.html
February 17, 2023, 6:11 AM
In addition to terrorism warnings from the Swedish Security Police, the country's NATO bid is at stake, as Turkiye, the only alliance member to openly oppose it, warned Stockholm that its ambitions won't be granted as long as Qurans are allowed to be burned freely.
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